Shop Talk - May 15

The panelists talk about a federal appeals court ruling on Illinois' eavesdropping law.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Seventh Circuit US Court of Appeals in Chicago found the law “likely violates” the First Amendment. The court ordered authorities to stop enforcing it.

The law made it illegal to audio record police officers in public without their consent. Violators faced harsh prison sentences.

The matter became an issue because of the NATO summit scheduled to be held in Chicago on May 20 & 21, 2012.

The Shop Talk panelists questioned why police officers could not be recorded in public. They're supposed to be public servants who work in public areas.

The panelists point out the recording of what police say in public could protect them from false accusations. Recordings could also protect the protesters expected to show up in Chicago for the NATO summit.